My Version of a Dual Rear Ladder Set-Up

My rig does not really setup that high, 4 1/2" RC on 31's. However, I have the Olympic Top Hat Rack which has a huge area for carrying items, which in the PNW that is secondary to the proctection it provides.

I have a 3 pc home brew rear tube bumper, which the sides bolt on. Once I had that completed I was needing to make another 1/4" plate to bolt in-between them the move out the corners a little.

With everything said above, my intent was to built a quick release ladder, which would also double as rear gate protection. I wanted it to weigh as little as possible 17lbs as it sits now.

So the Olympic Tap Hat has two tabs on the rear



With the two holes I used two welded studs on the top of the ladder to quickly sit down in the tabs and spin on the nuts/wings from the bottom.



The rear would be connected on both sides using a simple design to hold the weight on top of the 1/4" spacers.





Using quick pins it would be secured to the bumper



In order to keep the weight down, I used 1/2" square tubing. Following the dam conture of the rear hatch was a pain, but in order to get the bends, we used a hand saw to cut into the tube at and angle to sneak up to the angles.

I'm 220 and I was climbing up all over it bouncing up and down, and it is pretty dam solid. I used rubber washers to mount in-between the Rack and the ladder to provide a little cushion. This set-up will have to be removed if and when you need to get into the rear area. Knowing this, is the quick removing and light weight of the set up.

Here are a few pics of it mounted.





With the above pic, close to the top is an area I added more support to for future add-on's.







I'm pleased with it, it suits my intent of a little assistance getting up on-top for my family (they are short), adds a little proctection, and is quickly removed.

Mac

Interesting setup, 97+ body with pre 97 flares on the rear, looks factory too...nice job.

nice fab / design work but wouldnt one be enough?

I want to see more full body pics of this thing from the front and from the side. The Mopar musclecar type decals are an interesting touch.

How long does it take to open the rear hatch with the ladders in the way?

Less than 1 minute to pull the ladder sytem off, 2 pins on bottom, 2 wing nuts on top.

mac

I wonder if you could mount something going from ladders to the hatch like a magnet or something so you could just un pin the bottom and have it hinge up top with the hatch. Maybe I dunno thats what I think though.

It is only 17lbs, so taking it off and on is no issue. I am looking at mounting some kind of box on the top shelf of it. Don't know.

mac

I saw another post where someone else made a ladder similar to yours and I think the lower mount was onto the hatch, but its been such a long time I don't quite recall. A search might turn up some good ideas.

I was thinking about something similar (back when I ran my spare on the roof.)

I wanted to hinge it at the top, off the roofrack; and let the bottom of the ladder land on the bumper to support the load. It would have needed some sort of hinged bracket in the middle to carry the ladder when the hatch was opened.

Yours is 100 times simpler, and simple is always better.

Good job.

Robert

Looks like a fair bit of work for something used only occasionally. I don't get why you'd need two either, but the workmanship looks decent. let us know how much you actually use it, as it seems to me it'd be in the way more than useful. I'll open my hatch several times on a given run, but won't access the roof maybe but once or twice a year for a weekend long run where I'm hauling firewood or the like.

fubar XJ said:

Looks like a fair bit of work for something used only occasionally. I don't get why you'd need two either, but the workmanship looks decent. let us know how much you actually use it, as it seems to me it'd be in the way more than useful. I'll open my hatch several times on a given run, but won't access the roof maybe but once or twice a year for a weekend long run where I'm hauling firewood or the like.

Click to expand...

But since he can pull em off and throw em in garage, they don't even have to ride along if he doesn't plan on putting anything on the rack.

I like it.

Robert

Robert you hit it on the head. When I take this thing camping with the family 4 plus 2 dogs, I load up the cargo area with items and then I place my camping gear accessories ontop last. 1st items off is the tent and accessories anyway. Then I take off the ladder when I finish unloading the roof to get to the cargo area.

I went with the dual design so anyone can climb up on either side, plus I think the dual set-up looks better than the one sided ladder.

mac

Ah, makes sense. I assumed you ran around with the ladders on all of the time. Looks pretty good, sounds like it'll do the trick for you. Nice job.

Pics not working for me...

mac,
not to steaL YOUR THREAD OR ANYTHING WHAT KIND OF TAILLIGHT GUARDS ARE THOSE AND WHERE DID YOU FIND THEM?? i really would like to know so that i can purchase a set since ive broken 4 sets of taillights.

XJCOASTIE said:

mac,
not to steaL YOUR THREAD OR ANYTHING WHAT KIND OF TAILLIGHT GUARDS ARE THOSE AND WHERE DID YOU FIND THEM?? i really would like to know so that i can purchase a set since ive broken 4 sets of taillights.

Click to expand...

When I get nervous I can't CONTROL THE VOLUME OF MY voice. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

My taillights guards are a result of a 12 Pack of "Moose Drool", 8 hours of free time and extra metal laying around.

Mac

damn, i need some for my 98'

Don't know when I'm doing it, but I have one other guy locally wanting a pair. So when I get around to it, I will make an one extra set. I used to make them a few years back pretty regularly.

Mac

interesting wheels